It would be wrong to call baroque just one of the styles of fine art. This is a whole era that was able to break a person's understanding of the world and himself. It was then, in the 18th century, that card games and carousels took the place of knightly tournaments, and the mysteries - masquerades and theater. Sacred music turned into a pleasant game of sounds, the interiors began to be decorated with paintings of landscapes and portraits.
A lot of changes have occurred in the appearance of people. Men began to shave their beards and mustaches, wear powdered wigs and stifle aromatic essences. Women treasured the pallor of the skin, which was supported by the abundant application of cosmetics. Naturalness was rejected as a vice. She was identified with folly, arrogance and atrocities.
From classic to luxury
Gorgeous baroque dresses were preceded by outfits of different eras. In the 15th century, they recalled the culture of Ancient Rome and Greece, paying attention to proportions, compositions and symmetry. Then came classicism - a time where everyone followed the rules: harmoniously, orderly and mathematically accurate. It was calm, strict, perfectly beautiful, but ... boring! This is tired of the world, and at the end of the 17th century, classicism supplants a new style, whose name in Portuguese means "pearl of irregular shape."
The Italians called the baroque vulgar and strange. Classicism has always been right, but what has succeeded him is terribly not. Everything was too much! Too is the word that accurately describes the new style.
A century later, time will turn back. With the advent of the era of romanticism, "roundabouts" begin to be held in the form of knightly tournaments, and natural beauty will again turn into virtue. However, the fashion for dresses in the Baroque style, with luxurious decorations, magnificent fabrics and lush lace, all also attracts the attention of sentimental girls. You must admit that it can be more romantic than imagining yourself as a beautiful lady at the brilliant court of Louis XIV de Bourbon, known as the Sun King.
In the 30s, fashion returned to the characteristic silhouettes of the Baroque - a deep neckline with lowered shoulders, a tightly tightened corset and wide sleeves. By the way, such outfits throughout the 19th century will interest beautiful ladies several more times.
Colors and features of baroque dresses
To easily determine this direction, it is enough to know the characteristic features:
- the use of the principle of layering in skirts;
- the upper and lower parts of the clothes had contrasting shades;
- an abundance of details and decorative elements - lace, frills, ruffles;
- open neckline and lush sleeves lowered onto the shoulders;
- a tightly tightened corset, showing the wasp waist and lifting the chest, making it attractive.
The colors of the fabrics for sewing outfits were chosen deep and very bright. This was necessary so that embroidery looked more effective against their background. Violet, burgundy, mother of pearl, brown, emerald and, of course, gold were considered to be in demand for baroque dresses of the 18th century.
Female appearance
The outfit primarily consisted of a corset. Then came an incredibly magnificent skirt on a whalebone, which acted as a skeleton. Without him, she simply would not have kept her volume. Sometimes the dimensions were so large that the cavaliers were forced to stand farther away, they couldn’t get any closer. A dress with a long train was worn over. At the same time, the lower skirt diverged away from the bodice, was always lighter and was visible from under a darker outfit. The image was completed with high-heeled shoes, gloves, fans, lace umbrellas and jewelry - always with large precious stones.
Photo of baroque dresses
An important contribution to the formation of the fashion of this period was the elements characteristic of the Amazons of the late 17th century. Their outfit consisted of a shirt-front or shirt, fitted jacket, hat and long skirt. From the portrait of the Countess de San Geran it is easy to understand that the Amazons were very similar to a men's suit. All the same silhouette that emphasizes the figure, lush cuffs and frills, sleeves with lapels.
Another characteristic feature was the drop-down upper skirt. It is worth noting that they cut up the bottom before the Baroque era, but by the end of the 17th century this decision gained the greatest popularity. The upper skirt was specially cut, then pin up to demonstrate the rich finish of the lower part. How it looked can be seen in the photo below.
By the way, the work of Velazquez, where the Spanish artist portrayed portraits of the Infant princesses, serves as a wonderful illustration of baroque dresses, and the spirit of this era.
Details
A lot of attention was paid to jewelry and makeup. Lace, couplings, sun umbrellas, fans and canes with graceful and richly designed handles gained immense popularity.
For fashionistas of the 17-18 centuries, the application of cosmetics was a prerequisite. As mentioned earlier, a pale, powdered face is an integral part of the Baroque style, and the front sight on the cheek was considered the piquant completion of the image.
No less important was the hairstyle. If in the Renaissance and Classicism it was as natural as possible, then in the heyday of the Baroque style, whole still lifes flaunted the heads of women, which were always decorated with feathers, ribbons, stones, lace and even ship models.
Male appearance
Looking at the photo, it is difficult to imagine how much it cost to sew one dress in the Baroque style of the 17th century. The stronger sex also had a hard time. Men wore knee-length pants and shirts that were lavishly decorated with lace. They also put on long tight-fitting stockings. Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the caftans to the knee with a frill or a delayed collar. Believe that bows are not a masculine attribute? No matter how funny it may sound, but it was they, as well as lace, that were considered mandatory when sewing a suit. Even shoes, and those worn with bows and buckles.
But that is not all! Powdered wigs were not only in women. Men also got it. They were incredibly tall and magnificent. And thanks to this volume, lice and even ... mice got into them! It’s easy to guess how people scratched their heads. To facilitate the fate of being “in trend,” special sticks were invented, with the help of which gentlemen and ladies could scratch themselves during official receptions and masquerade balls. Well, do not remove such a beauty in public!
Heritage
So, here is what we have in the Baroque style today:
- dresses made of brocade and velvet;
- magnificent sleeves and skirts decorated with lace and bows;
- ruffles and draperies;
- neckline and sleeves lowered on shoulders;
- shoes with large stones;
- fans;
- couplings.
A striking example of a designer who preferred outfits of this era is Christian Lacroix. It is not surprising, because his thesis was devoted to the history of the costume.
The first collection of the designer, The Beautiful Arlesian, had many references to Baroque. It was dedicated to the south of France and was distinguished by colorful patterns against the background of rich flowers. The splendor, brightness and the previously mentioned notorious “too” - all this was subsequently present in almost many of his collections.
Modern interpretation
Today, baroque dresses can be seen at many shows, but Dolce & Gabbana fashion designers were the first to demonstrate their vision of the outfits of this era. All the decorative elements are also lace, to which crystals and rhinestones were added. Designers paid special attention to the texture and color of the fabric, without forgetting about the complexity of the compositions. The color gamut also remained unchanged. Extremely rich colors dominate here: black with gold; blue with silver, brown, purple and scarlet.
The images of the presented collection were loved by everyone. It is difficult to disagree with the fact that large flowers on fabric, tapestry and lace create a feeling of solemnity and joy. Gold ornaments and shades of crystals incredibly sparkle and shimmer on the texture of brocade, velvet and, of course, allow the girl to feel like a real princess.
Wedding fashion
The ladies were already aware of their attractiveness and wanted only the best. Dresses were made of satin, satin and velvet. As accessories more often used gloves and fans. In the cold seasons, the outfits were decorated with natural fur, and the hands warmed the couplings. Putting on such dresses, and even thoroughly whitening the face, the brides looked like porcelain dolls with a thin waist, graceful bare shoulders and rounded hips with the help of a Pannier skirt.
The tradition of looking expensive and luxuriously preserved to this day. Therefore, designers, based on the fashion of the 17-18 centuries, create their own interpretations of solemn images. For example, in 2013, the stunning Baroque wedding dress (pictured below) was presented in the collection of the fashion house Elle Saab.
As you can see, today the "pearl of irregular shape" is still luxurious and no less eccentric. Clothing in this style is ideal for ceremonial and social events, but on one condition: if you are characterized by brightness and there is no fear of looking "too" and "too much."